College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

From the Dean’s Office...

Table of Contents From the Dean’s Office.............................................................................................................................................3 Department of Art.....................................................................................................................................................4 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences...........................................................................................5 Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy..................................................................................................6

Department of English and Rhetoric.........................................................................................................................7 Department of Government and Sociology...............................................................................................................8 Department of History, Geography and Philosphy...................................................................................................9 Interdisciplinary Studies.........................................................................................................................................10

Photography courtesy of:

Department of Mass Communication......................................................................................................................11

Tim Vacula Gregg Kaufman Stephanie Reagan Melanie Beal Bobbi Otis Lauren Davidson Matthew Heath Indiren Pillay Emily Gomez Bob Chandler Carlos Herrera Larbi Oukada Elaine Whitaker Lana McDowell

Department of Mathematics....................................................................................................................................12

Department of Modern Languages and Culture......................................................................................................13

Department of Music...............................................................................................................................................14 Department of Psychological Science.....................................................................................................................15 Department of Theatre............................................................................................................................................16

Museums.................................................................................................................................................................17 Programs of Distinction..........................................................................................................................................18 Give a gift...............................................................................................................................................................20

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

2012

The dean’s office suite is near the front door of the Arts and Science building, but if you aren’t looking for it, you can miss it. Of course we do important work in the dean’s office—we manage budgets, hiring, planning and policies—but much of our work should stay behind the scenes.

The showcase work of the college is in the hands of our talented faculty. Faculty dreams, hopes, and hard work continually transform the college. Working with students in classrooms and research labs, in rehearsal halls and studios, in the college museums and galleries, and in the initiatives we call programs of distinction, faculty have made the college into a wonderfully exciting world. It is an ideal educational experience for our students.

This newsletter is a great example. What better way to create a college newsletter than to recruit Georgia College journalists-in-training and showcase their ability? I proposed the idea to Mass Communication department chair, Dr. Mary Jean Land. Dr. Land took the project to one of her faculty, who implemented it in the junior-level Public Relations Writing class Writing is an important part of the Mass Communication major. Students learn how to write for a specific audience and context. Writing for broadcast differs from writing for publication. The students would write the articles with alumni in mind, and begin to answer the question, “What would alumni like to know about the College of Arts and Sciences as it is today?”

The Public Relations Writing class had exactly the number of students needed to cover the college majors, museums and programs of distinction. I met with the class to answer questions. The students would interview a contact person, research the topic, write an article as an assignment, and earn credit for a course grade. And then get a byline in the newsletter.

Writing was phase one. In phase two, mass communication student and Colonnade (campus student newspaper) editor, Bobbi Otis designed and prepared the newsletter.

My thanks for the production of this newsletter go to the department of Mass Communication, the faculty and staff across the college who helped our students with the project.

Special thanks go to the fifteen Public Relations students who wrote the articles, and especially to Bobbi Otis, who volunteered to create the design and layout.

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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By: Chelsea Hinkel, Public Relations student

Department of Art

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he Department of Biological and Environmental Science is presenting students with new and different opportunities in the way of research. The distinguished faculty engages in a vast array of research across the biological and environmental science field.

“Whether as a freshman or senior, the experience of getting to work closely, as an undergraduate, with a faculty researcher, can ultimately result in a presentation at the university research symposium, or even at a regional or national conference,” said Dr. Indiren Pillay, associate professor and Department Chair of Biological and Environmental Sciences.

“First and second year majors are encouraged to explore research opportunities with faculty by participating in The David J. Cotter Undergraduate Research Program.”

Many of the newer faculty members are adding to the innovative research in the department and are extremely interested in student involvement with the research in order to further the students’ education for their future careers. One of these faculty members is Amanda Chase, an assistant professor of microbiology. Her training is in viral immunology, and her current research focuses on the Dengue virus and how it inhibits the host’s immune response.

In addition to her work on Dengue virus, Dr. Chase is also interested in research with bacterial viruses known as bacteriophages.

“The students in my lab are collecting water samples from local water sources and quantifying the amount of coliphages, a type of bacteriophage, in their samples,” Chase said. “The students will identify their phages and may even discover a new bacteriophage that hasn’t been characterized yet.”

The goal of student involvement in Chase’s research is to better prepare students for careers in health-related disciplines.

Another assistant professor in the Biology and Environmental Science Department, Dr. Samuel Mutiti, is also currently working on bacteriophage research.

Together Chase and Mutiti have designed two courses around the isolation, identification and characterization of phages that are present in soil and water-dwelling bacteria.

This undertaking was funded by Georgia College and is another way of exposing undergraduate biological and environmental science

students through a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Initiative.

These hands-on research opportunities in discovery science are enriching experiences for biology and environmental science majors.

The research experiences are giving students a chance to participate in real world situations that they will benefit from in their prospective careers.

“In the spring of 2012, the department is offering a hands-on, research-based course in molecular biotechniques. These courses are research-intensive, where students will have the opportunity to be trained in their research techniques,” Chase said.

As seen by these courses, the Biological and Environmental Science Department has a

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wide range of research opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom. Also, with the large and diverse faculty in the department, there are many different options for research.

Some examples of these include molecular microbial ecology, herpetology, ornithology, yeast biology, algal species interactions, Neogene mammalian paleoecology and diversity and plant-insect interactions.

The Biological and Environmental Science Department is providing an endless amount of unique opportunities in research for students majoring in the department. Each faculty member is bringing forth their individual knowledge for students to earn the best and most fulfilling education possible.

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

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dents serviced in the Georgia College core.

“The move to Ennis Hall as well as other Department of Art activities, programs, capstones and mission have been fully supported by the Georgia College administration,” said Bill Fisher, associate professor and department chair. “The move is illustrative of our Liberal Arts Pillars of Distinction and Strategic Initiatives, representing the many and varied benefits to the holistic and ongoing development of the individual as they move into life beyond the B.A. ” To further strengthen the liberal arts students at Georgia College, the department remains highly active with the local, campus and greater communities. The department participates in frequent faculty and student exhibitions in downtown Milledgeville venues, students sell wares and offer demos at Deep Roots Festival and Georgia College parent day each year, students and faculty present at national conferences, and students also display large scale public murals throughout the community.

The arts faculty maintains a major presence in the university core, and routinely runs studio workshops and other “beyond the classroom” experiences for students and faculty from all areas of study.

“Whether the class is ceramics, fibers, painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, digital media or art history the faculty in the art department ask students to have an open mind about what they see and study,” said Ainsley Eubanks, senior administrative art department assistant.

“For some students this can be life changing. Some students come back years after graduation and tell the department about how a certain class, class discussion or project had widened their view of art and the way they look at world events.”

The art department has also partnered up with YES, Glimps, Early College programs, area elementary, middle and home school students, inmates of the Baldwin County correctional facilities, clients of Creative Expression and Red Road Alliance in various workshops and exhibitions.

These collaborations not only bring artistic expression by and to students but also to the community to strengthen the integrative relationship of Georgia College with its surroundings.

“We are part of this larger family, too, that is Georgia College and also the community around us,” Tina Yarborough, professor of art said. “By participating in these circles of engagement our students develop the most important facets of a liberal arts education. Our students stand out in today’s society and are capable of being really strong in production.”

By: Katherine Darsie, Public Relations student

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he Georgia College Department of Art offers students the opportunity to graduate with a B.A. in Art while maintaining the strength of small class sizes indicative of a liberal arts university. With approximately 160 majors accompanied by 12 full-time and several part-time faculty, the department is able to offer a wide variety of creative opportunities.

Three primary concentrations—studio art, art history and museum studies—have allowed students to develop elite artistic skills and knowledge to practice in their careers.

In the studio area, Georgia College offers disciplines in the areas of fiber arts, digital art and technology, painting, photography, ceramics and printmaking for unique creative outlets.

The art history area includes areas of study such as arts of Africa, Asia and India, public art and media culture, northern renaissance, modern art, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, the global history of body art and art criticism, all supported by courses in writing about art.

The museum studies program prepares

students for a career in gallery and museum administration, planning, curating, exhibition design and fundraising in the arts.

Being one of the few programs of its kind in the region, museum studies is one of the most distinctive art concentrations.

Offering experiential learning, museum studies concentration majors make great use of our Blackbridge Hall Galleries, the student-run ArtFix Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The Department of Art continues to provide the structure and guidance of a liberal arts education to students by remaining highly involved in the community and providing students with fully equipped fine arts studios, galleries and lecture spaces.

In order to further improve the opportunity for student success, the Department of Art is currently preparing for the renovation and revitalization of Ennis Hall as its new home.

In collaboration with the university and an architectural firm, the department created a Board of Regents-approved design concept including detailed floor and facilities plans.

If state funding is approved, renovations to Ennis Hall could begin as early as 2013.

Mayfair, Blackbridge and Macintosh halls were originally built to function as boarding homes in the early 1990s for guests of the Old Governor’s Mansion directly across the street.

The availability of new, specifically designed spaces will provide students with the type of stream-lined advances they need to develop the skills necessary for a career in the arts.

Highly anticipated spaces in particular include a professionally adapted dark room to replace the current facility which occupies a room in one of the historical houses, and state-of-the-art lecture spaces available for all art majors as well as the many stu-

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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By: Kelsey Lee, Public Relations student

Department of Chemisty, Physics and Astronomy

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n 18th century London, coffeehouses became known as Penny Universities—for the price of a penny, one could gain access not only to the coffee served at the house, but the conversations that percolated within. Newsboys called “runners” announced all the latest news for discussion in the coffeehouses, and men from all social levels, including many students from the local universities, spent long hours conversing about trade, society, and the latest hot topics. Coffee houses were the intellectual and informational hubs of the city.

In Milledgeville, this longstanding partnership of coffee, community and intellect still exists. At Blackbird Coffee, people from the community mingle with students and professors from the university—studying, chatting, attending events and having meetings.

The Georgia College Department of English and Rhetoric has developed a particularly strong relationship with the shop. Countless connections exist between the department and Blackbird, including the fact that an owner, Jimmy Holder, teaches composition at Georgia College. Members of the English and Rhetoric Department populate the shop daily.

Junior Rhetoric major David Hamby can be found in the coffee shop almost any day of the week.

“One morning I was really stressed out about a speech I had to deliver that afternoon,” Hamby said. “I sat down in Blackbird and after forty minutes I had finished what turned out to be my best speech ever. The atmosphere just tends to stimulate creativity.”

Dr. Bruce Gentry, Professor of English and editor of the Flannery O’Connor Review, visits Blackbird at least once a day to get coffee and mingle with students and/or people in the community.

He thinks the close relationship between the shop and the English and rhetoric department is a natural one. It is not uncommon to find him, or any other professor in the department, holding meetings with students in the shop.

“Meeting a student at Blackbird softens the professional barrier,” Dr. Gentry said. “It’s relaxed and friendly—a good way to say ‘I’m not playing professor with a capital P’.”

Similarly, many teachers, professors, and faculty members in the English and rhetoric Department hold meetings with colleagues at Blackbird.

Department Chair Elaine Whitaker saw Blackbird for the first time at her 2006 job interview, as it is customary for students to interview departmental candidates there.

“Coffee at Blackbird lets me connect with the community as well as with colleagues and students,” Dr. Whitaker said, “It’s a public space that encourages a meaningful exchange of ideas.”

On a special night of each month, Blackbird hosts an event specific to the celebration of literature, creative writing, and rhetoric.

The event is called the Red Earth Readings and features public readings of poems, essays, and short stories. Many have been published in The Peacock’s Feet, a yearly journal published by Georgia College that showcases the literary and artistic talents of people from Georgia College and beyond. Senior English major Peggy Des Jardines is

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this year’s editor of The Peacock’s Feet and heads up the Red Earth Readings. She said Blackbird was the obvious choice of venue for the readings.

“It’s such a comfy place,” Des Jardines said, “And since so many English and rhetoric people hang out here anyway, it didn’t make sense to have it anywhere else.”

Des Jardines, who was recently honored as the 2nd winner of the Margaret Harvin Wilson Writing Award for her poem “Moratorium”, confesses to producing some of her best work at the small black tables lined up against the walls of the coffee shop.

The connection between coffee, literature, writing and rhetoric is undeniably a tight one. Flannery O’Connor herself began each morning with a cup of black coffee her mother brewed the night before.

Blackbird provides an office-away-from-office and a forum for shared ideas, while the Department of English and Rhetoric brings a passionate community of writers and public speakers that enhances the mentally and creatively stimulating atmosphere of the coffee shop.

Anyone who has applied for a job at Blackbird Coffee is fully aware of this coffee/creativity connection—the last requirement on Blackbird’s job application is to write a poem.

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where exciting science is going on.”

Dr. Catrena Lisse, associate professor of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, is another faculty member improving the department. Dr. Lisse has been at Georgia College for 10 years and is also the Chemistry Club advisor. This year, the Chemistry Club received its fourth Outstanding Chapter National Award “The Chemistry Club has been around for over 15 years,” Dr. Lisse said. “When I became the adviser back in 2002, the Chemistry Club only had 2 members and was not very active. We currently have 47 members and stay busy year round.”

The Chemistry Club focuses on community service, such as volunteering as science fair judges at local schools, coordinating National Chemistry Week and Earth Day, visiting the Georgia War

Veterans Home, and several other activities, which create a fun and educational environment for students. This helps students develop professional and personal skills that will serve the club members throughout their future careers.

“I am very proud of the club for this achievement,” Dr. Lisse said. “Winning national awards has become part of our legacy. The students are proud of their accomplishments and are passionate about keeping the tradition going from one graduating class to another.”

The faculty in the Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy not only contributes to the department with their knowledge, but financially as well.

Dr. Douglas Pohl, professor of Chemistry, Physics, and Astronomy, donated a 24-inch research class telescope to the observatory located in Herty Hall. The telescope will allow students to have a detailed view of planets, comets, and stars. Although Pohl is officially retired, he continues to share his knowledge with students at Georgia College by teaching part-time and is also chair of the local American Chemical Society.

“We are very much looking forward to the new telescope coming to the new observatory,” Dr. McGill said. “Dr Pohl’s gracious donation will inspire many young scientists for many years to come.”

By: Ala Bishop, Public Relations student

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he Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Astronomy at Georgia College is making several advancements thanks to its outstanding faculty.

Department Chair Dr. Kenneth McGill is thrilled by his engaging faculty and staff who create an environment of higher learning for both faculty and students.

“We are truly blessed to have a faculty that absolutely enjoys what they do,” Dr. McGill said. “In Chemistry and Physics the majority of scientists graduating with PhDs go into industry because the financial rewards are so much higher. Those of us that enter academia generally do it because we enjoy the freedom of being life-long learners. We learn and make discoveries right alongside our students. I am very thankful to work with a great group of faculty that feels this way; it makes me look forward to coming to work every day.”

Dr. Agnes Kim, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, has been at Georgia College since 2008 and has greatly contributed to the university. Dr. Kim was asked by astronomers in Belgium to analyze data from space and made an important discovery.

“I analyzed data from a pulsating white dwarf found in the field of view of the NASA planet finding space telescope Kepler and found that it was hotter than what we thought,” Kim said. “The discovery of a pulsating white dwarf of that kind in the Kepler field of view was a big surprise, as it is a rare kind of star to begin with.”

The discovery made by Kim not only helps the department, but the university as well.

“This is research that has been published in a top professional journal and that has drawn attention from abroad.

It puts Georgia College and the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy on the map as an institution

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By: Bobbi Otis, Public Relations student

Department of Government and Sociology

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munity patrons of Lucerito, a grocery store.

“One of our goals is to have our students evaluate stereotypes and to then envision and to design images that undermine those stereotypes,” Godwin said. “In particular we look at Karl Marx and his influence on the Mexican Muralist Movement.

It’s a rich blending of art and sociology.”

Junior Sociology major Sara Mruz took the art and social change course offered by Dr. Godwin.

“In the second half of the class we went to a Spanish store on (U.S. Highway) 441 and painted a mural,” Mruz said. “It incorporated learning about the effects murals can have on their community, while opening our eyes to another discipline at GC.” Anthropology Dr. Jeff Blick teaches students in the Department of Government and Sociology who have decided to minor in anthropology.

“Inside the classroom it is a typical lecture situation, I try to make it as interesting as possible. I use different stories and different anecdotes from stuff I’ve done in the past,” Dr. Blick said. “In the past I’ve had people do all sorts of things (outside the classroom) I’ve had people go out and interview experts on the environment, local experts, whether it was somebody at the Atlanta Zoo or county waste management or landfill, county or city water, water and sewage treatment.”

He also incorporates research into his courses by collecting raw data and having his students perform statistical analyses.

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eorgia College’s History, Geography & Philosophy Department within the College of Arts & Sciences is proud to highlight the activities of The Center for Georgia Studies The Center for Georgia Studies offers opportunities for students at Georgia College and the entire community to study and explore all aspects of Georgia’s history. The Center exists as a vehicle to provide the “whole story” about the state of Georgia — its heritage, culture, people, environment, music, food, art, economics and history.

The Center sponsors activities such as: conferences, publications, classes, speakers and research and is open to students, visiting scholars and the public.

“The Center offers the Georgia College and local community an opportunity to hear talks by experts in many disciplines and special events,” said Professor of American History and Graduate Coordinator Dr. Craig S. Pascoe.

The department is excited about the upcoming events including a new lecture series, beginning fall 2012. In conjunction with the History Department at The University of Georgia, Georgia College will host three scheduled lectures next fall. Lecture topics will include: the coming of the Civil War, the Civil War and Slavery and are open to the public.

As the Antebellum capital of Georgia, Milledgeville offers a rich architectural legacy and history. The city’s resources allow the stories of the past to come alive, be discussed and be studied today. Activities sponsored by The Center For Georgia Studies take advantage of Milledgeville’s unique historical legacy by allowing students to experience history as if they were in the past experiencing it first-hand.

A group of students in Assistant Professor of History Dr. Rachel Sheldon’s class are fortunate to get to have their Georgia secession debate in the renovated Capitol Building at Georgia Military College, an exact replica of the original one which was burnt

down. The students get to experience exactly how the debates were in the actual room.

“We are taking advantage of Milledgeville’s past — the artifacts, Governor’s Mansion and other historical aspects, ” said interim Chair and Associate Professor of History Dr. Stephen Auerbach.

Dr. Bob Wilson, Professor of History and University Historian, has had alumnae from the 1930s and 1940s come back and take his classes.

“Their insight is a valuable contribution,” Wilson said.

“These are women who went to school and lived here during the times that we discuss in class. They are active participants and know about the college and the town from back then.” These women add a personal touch and their knowledge to the classroom.

In conjunction with The Center for Georgia Studies, the History Department also offers a concentration in Public History.

The Public History concentration trains undergraduate and graduate students to present historical knowledge to a general public audience. Public History students use the historical buildings of Milledgeville as teaching tools as they learn about historical preservation and museum presentations.

Georgia College alumnus Matthew Davis is Curator of the Old Governor’s Mansion.

“The Public History program at Georgia College is an outstanding program that provides students with an engaged faculty and

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a multitude of opportunities for practical learning and internships that prepared me for my career,” Davis said. “As the Antebellum capital of Georgia, Milledgeville is an outstanding location for a variety of experiences in all mediums of Public History.”

The students and faculty in the History, Geography & Philosophy Department encourage everyone to reconnect with the department and learn more about the exciting things happening at the HumberWhite House; come listen to a lecture emphasizing local history and culture or tag along as Dr. Wilson takes his students through a tour of historic Milledgeville.

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positives and negative of public problems. Students in this core course act as facilitators, observers and note takers at forums for the community. The topic for one of these events was on the national debt.

Another course Kaufman teaches is called public achievement. In that class college students work with 100 local fourth and fifth grade elementary school students to teach them how to become engaged citizens.

“Over the course of two semesters college students in pairs coach –– and that’s their name, they actually coach, they are not mentors, they are not tutors, they are not teachers, they’re coaches –– a small group of fifth graders or fourth graders in what it means to be active in democracy,” Kaufman said.

Dr. Brandy Kennedy graduated with a Masters in Public Affairs from the Department of Government and Sociology in 2002 and thinks there is more out of the classroom learning happening now than when she attended.

“I think there is a lot more initiative now for the service learning aspect for outside the classroom activities,” Dr. Kennedy said. “Of course technology has come a long way in a short amount of time so that makes things a lot different.”

Sociology The sociology program has redesigned their capstone to make the experience more interactive for the students.

“A lot of what we’ve done in the last few years is really redesigning our capstone experience for our sociology majors,” Dr. Stephanie McClure said.

“So, students can choose from four options of the three-hour component of the capstone, either an internship, a study abroad experience, an independent research project or what we are calling the capstone course.

Students select one of those four options that best fits with what their specific goals and post-college aspirations are, and then we work with them independently as faculty in sort of one-on-one relationships.”

Dr. Sandra Godwin is an associate professor of sociology. One of her classes collaborates with Associate Professor of art Valerie Aranda and the com-

By: Victoria Garofalo, Public Relations student

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he Department of Government and Sociology offers Bachelor of Arts major and minor degree programs in criminal justice, political science and sociology. A minor is also offered in anthropology.

The department also offers graduate degree programs: Master of Public Administration and Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

Twenty-four full-time faculty members in six separate disciplines promote a student-centered learning environment for the approximate 600 enrolled students.

Faculty members in the department are active scholars in their fields and many have been recognized with teaching and service awards.

Learning inside the classroom as well as outside is an important aspect of a Georgia College education and the Department of Government and Sociology showcases that across all of its major and minor degree programs.

Criminal Justice In some criminal justice classes visiting jails and prisons are important ways for students to apply knowledge learned in their courses.

“Very often I take my students to jail or prison, because it is one thing to sit and talk about these entities, and then to actually go look them in the eye,” Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Sara Doude said.

Introductory courses also offer the chance for students to interact with law enforcement in the local community.

“Outside of the classroom, with the introduction courses they have an application project that they choose so they can do different things,” Assistant Professor Lana McDowell said. “For one, they can take part in a police ride along and answer questions based on what the police officer say in relation to the foundation of knowledge in the book.”

Political Science Model United Nations is offered within the department and is lead by Dr. Steve Elliot-Gower.

“The Department of Government & Sociology sponsors a Model United Nations team and offers a one-credit hour MUN course,” Dr. Elliot-Gower said. “The team has participated in National Model United Nations competition in Washington, D.C. for the last two years.”

The political science major promotes civic engagement; one example is Professor Gregg Kaufman’s GC1Ycritical thinking core course.

Kaufman teaches his students about public politics among other things. Public politics is aimed at getting ordinary citizens engaged in deliberating and weighing the

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By: Melanie Beal, Public Relations student

Interdisciplinary Studies

nior project before graduation. These paths help maintain a purposeful confluence of the disciplines the student wishes to pursue, and avoid random selections that do not complement each other.

“The Liberal Studies program is a more deliberate process than many people are aware of because students must think about how the disciplines come together as opposed to blindly selecting concentrations that are not compatible with each other,” Dr. Manian said.

In the past, many people have had a misconception of the purpose of the Liberal Studies Program. Many people have been under the impression that this major is an option for students to turn to when they are incapable of being accepted into another program. This misconception is a key factor for changing the major requirements for the program.

These changes will not only correct the commonly held misconception of the Liberal Studies Program, but also create more awareness to the program in order to get more students involved in the program early, as interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary academic engagement is an important part of the mission of a Liberal Arts university.

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Classes such as seminar, video and research were held in the space during the fall 2011 semester. In spring 2012, the classes scheduled will be the ones that utilize the software provided. The lab is an on-going project, in addition to the video lab on the third floor, of Arts & Sciences, this lab is meant to enhance the learning experience by providing access to programs that students will find useful for internships and jobs.

“To be competitive, our students need to work with industry standard software,” Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Ken Procter said. “Mass Communication is a big program with lots of students, so having a dedicated media lab makes sense.”

The lab also provided the opportunity to create a server specifically for the Mass Communication program. Dr. Stephen Price, assistant professor of Mass Communication, created a log-in for all of the students so that they can access their work on other computers on campus. This also means that Dr. Price can assist students working on the server through his office computer.

“The benefit for them is that they don’t have to coordinate an appointment or wait

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until I get a chance to go to the labs from my office to get help,” Dr. Price said. “It allows me to see their screens with any error messages and guide them through the steps they need to do to troubleshoot when they run into problems.”

The federal government recently gave monies to colleges and universities around the country to assist with the impact of budget cuts. These stimulus funds were only available for two years. “(Former) President Leland set aside some of the funds for ‘move the needle’ projects—that is projects that would make a significant positive impact on Georgia College,” Dean Procter said. The media lab project was one of many projects proposed by the colleges on campus. Due to the cost, it probably wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the “move the needle” funds.

“I feel that this new facility has made the students more enthusiastic about learning. It shows that the department and college takes the program seriously by providing a top of the line room tailored for us,” senior mass communication student Bailey Tuck said.

“The investment in the new lab is ultimately an investment in us.”

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major from special education to the thirdworld studies major in the Liberal Studies Program.

“I really enjoy the third-world studies major because of the flexibility and independence I have to choose what class I want to take and when I want to take it,” Otim said. “I’ve always found it really cool to learn about other cultures and nations and Liberal Studies gives me that chance. I also really like all the professors in the Liberal studies major.”

These preset tracks not only focus the different disciplines giving the student a more direct guideline, but these tracks ensure the teachers for the courses required are open to working with the Liberal Studies Program.

“The best thing that has happened for the department this year is the fact that we have all these new students who like these changes,” Dr. Manian said. “Many students are interested in these new tracks, and they seem to be really excited about what they can do in those tracks.”

These changes to the program will help the student to see how the disciplines merge together, and supply the student with the knowledge and skill set needed to complete the se-

roviding hands-on education continues to be a focus of the Mass Communication Department of Georgia College. Professors place great emphasis on this in their individual syllabi and in the curriculum as a whole. The most recent addition to this focus was the construction of a media lab in the Arts & Sciences building. Room 1-64 has been transformed into a multimedia landscape for students to explore their own potential.

Dr. Mary Jean Land, chair of the Department of Mass Communication, is thrilled that students have an innovative space to access the latest print, audio, video and web resources.

“The converged design of the lab allows students to seek creative solutions to complex communication scenarios utilizing the latest technology,” Dr. Land said.

Included in the lab are 20 seats with 20 Mac Pro computers, a teacher’s station, a Mac mini and a SMART Board. Each computer also includes the entire Adobe Creative Suite. Possibly the most unique attribute of the lab is the layout. While most computer labs are not conducive to teaching practices, this room was specifically designed to accommodate the student-teacher experience.

The teacher’s station is located in the center of the room surrounded by the students and their workspaces. The purpose of the room is to teach students the theories and foundations of communication while allowing them to apply what they learn instantly.

Dr. Kristin English, assistant professor of Mass Communication, taught Public Relations Administration in the lab and utilized the resources to teach her Theory and Research classes how to use a statistical analysis software called SPSS. She has found the layout of the room to be extremely efficient and looks forward to integrating lab work into future classes.

“I think it will definitely lend a great resource to all Mass Communication students,” Dr. English said. “This field is about utilizing the tools that we have.”

By: Stephanie Reagan, Public Relations student

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ver the past few months the Liberal Studies Program has been working hard to reinvent itself in order to provide an interdisciplinary education reaching its fullest potential.

Dr. Sunita Manian, coordinator of interdisciplinary studies, and other faculty members from across the university came together in order to improve the Liberal Studies program. The program has expanded from being one that provided only the self-designed major to one that allows students to choose among five multidisciplinary tracks that include predetermined focuses in addition to the self-designed major. These tracks include culture, religion and society; European studies; gender and sexuality; race, ethnicity and gender; and third-world studies. These tracks were selected based on the patterns and trends previous student were selecting for their self-designed major, and the most common themes were combined creating the five preset tracks now offered to receive a B.A. in Liberal Studies.

There have been a few changes to the selfdesigned major, in that students are now only required to select two disciplines. The minimum GPA has been raised to ensure that the student is capable of completing the selected course of study, as the Self-Designed major is more difficult and more time consuming than the five preset tracks. Additionally, students are required to have two program advisors, from each of the disciplines included in the program of study, who will guide them in making the right choices regarding the course required to complete their chosen program.

“Students have to develop their idea in the early stages of the program so that the skills they need to acquire by their senior year are purposely developed through class choices that provide the students with those skills,” Dr. Manian said.

The new preset tracks have already attracted many students interested in finding out what opportunities are available to them through this program. Among these students is sophomore Peter Otim who switched his

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

2012

By: Helen Gaillet, Public Relations student

Department of Mathematics

other cultures of the world while increasing the visibility and presence of our department on campus,” Dr. Oukada said. “Our focus is global international education as we want to internationalize the mindset for our students.”

Among many of the faculty who are implementing these changes into their classroom, Dr. Peggy Schaller, Assistant Professor of French, has come up with an interactive and creative way to teach her students exciting things beyond the textbook itself by utilizing a role-playing game to encourage students to “react to the past” and relive historical events.

As the first professor in the U.S. to teach the game in a second language, Dr. Schaller was intrigued by “the possibility of having students move beyond the simplest understanding of the major events and those responsible for shaping them” “During the classroom debates, the comfort level and subsequent conversation in

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French increased with almost every class,” Dr. Schaller said. “The frustration and hesitancies of the initial sessions were slowly replaced with grounded debate fueled by a desire to gain votes and impose political dominance.”

Aside from personal interaction within the classroom, Assistant Professor of Spanish Dr. Aurora Castillo is keeping the “modern” in the department name and has received university recognition as the recipient of the 2011 Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology.

For the past two years, Dr. Castillo has implemented modern technology and specific computer programs such as Second Life into her intermediate level Spanish courses in order to showcase the Spanish language and cultures to her students first hand.

“Second life allows enhancing the language learning classroom experience through real task based activities that are developed in a 3-D environment that presents the culture and language in a vivid and real form,” Dr. Castillo said. “Students are able to feel and live the culture and language when exposed to an informal conversation with Spanish native speakers around the world.”

It is through virtual communications and interactions with these real native speakers that the natives act as the tutors helping the students practice and become confident in their speaking abilities.

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model consists of interactive computer software and allows students to spend more time on concepts they don’t understand instead of concepts they have already mastered. This will include videos, animations and teaching exercises to help students learn the chapters in their textbooks.

“The Emporium Model is so successful because students spend more time doing math problems rather than simply listening to someone talk about doing them.”

Chiorescu said. “Students will also receive immediate and personalized assistance when they encounter problems doing math.”

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he Department of Modern Languages and Culture at Georgia College agrees with the wisdom of Italian philosopher Umberto Eco, “The beauty of the Universe consists not only of unity in variety, but also of variety in unity.”

The department as a whole yearns to expose students to the beauty of the outside world which is thick with languages to be learned and cultures to be experienced while pursuing excellence in education.

After a recent transition period, the new department chair Dr. Larbi Oukada joined the team, and a new vision was born.

While staying consistent with the Georgia College mission statement, new goals and benchmarks were set for the department faculty and the students as a whole. The purpose for these changes was to create a sense of intentionality for the department, the curriculum and to target areas of improvement which will lead to the ultimate success and excellence of the students.

“Our job is to encourage the value of learning languages and about

By: Brina Potvin, Public Relations student

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he Department of Mathematics is pleased to announce that the new math course offerings for core curriculum areas A and D were offered for the first time in the Fall 2011 semester.

The new options include Quantitative Skills and Reasoning and College Algebra for core area A, and Introduction to Mathematical Thought, which will satisfy core area D and be taught by the mathematics chair, Dr. Robert Blumenthal in the spring.

Math 1111 College Algebra will be taught by assistant professors Marcela Chiorescu and Rodica Cazacu and will be taught using the Emporium Model. This

“The lab features approximately 100 Dell computers, which use web-based state-of-the-art mathematics software,” Dr. Blumenthal said.

The emporium is set up in an open area with computer stations and hanging computer display screens for group demonstrations. Rooms are also available for studying, tutoring, or personal instruction.

“The lab is a unique, interactive learning environment,” said Joe Windish, lead technical specialist for Georgia College Instructional Support. “Our computers are part of a secure robust system, so 100 students can do 100 math problems fast.”

Quantitative Skills and Reasoning will be taught by associate professor Dr. Ryan Brown. It will be taught in lecture format and will be offered as an alternative in the core area A for the first time this spring 2012.

Introduction to Mathematical Thought will be offered to students pursuing nonmath and non-science degrees and to those who do not need Probability and Statistics (MATH 2600) for their chosen major. This class will be taught by Blumenthal himself in the spring.

“The purpose of this course is to explore several major modern mathematical developments and to help students understand and appreciate the unique approach to knowledge which characterizes mathematics,” Dr. Blumenthal said.

This class will cover four chapters of the text and will focus on perfect numbers, group theory, and infinity.

“The topics covered in this course aim to convey to students that mathematics deals with large and universal questions, that it does so in a unique and compelling way, and that mathematics has much to contribute to other areas of thought including philosophy, linguistics, and aesthetics,” Dr. Blumenthal said.

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By: Brooks McAlister, Public Relations student

Department of Music

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he Department of Psychological Science continues to be one of the most highly decorated departments within the university from winning its Department Program Excellence Award from Georgia College in 1999-2000 to the 2010-11 school years.

Psychological Science Department Chair Dr. Lee Gillis is proud of the department and the achievements of its faculty, staff and students.

The faculty members and staff of psychological science have a current emphasis and a long history of excellence in teaching, service to students and the university. This department has also been recognized for excellence through four Distinguished Professor Awards, six Excellence in Teaching Awards, eight Excellence in Research and Publication Awards, and two Presidential Staff Awards.

“The department has a variety of undergraduate research labs which is perhaps one reason a higher percentage of undergraduates

way school.”

“The Music Department has a proud tradition of not only being accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music since 1955, but has recently been recognized in October 2011 as an ‘All-Steinway School.’

With this tradition of excellence, the Music Department continues to provide an exemplary music education for all of our students while supporting the greater community with a variety of concerts for all tastes,” department chair, Dr. Victor Vallo said.

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

2012

are being accepted into graduate programs,” Gillis said.

Associate Professor of Psychology Dr. Noland White, working with faculty and staff in the department submitted the nomination letter for the 2010-11 Department Program Excellence Award. There were certain qualifications to be submitted for the award. The department had to give an extensive description for each category such as individual and collective faculty efforts to improve teaching and student learning, methods of assessment of student learning that go beyond student evaluations, programs for advising mentoring students, certain success of the students, and faculty/staff accomplishments among others.

“The application required a lot of work.

It was a pleasure working with Dr. Kristina Dandy and Ms. Myrna Olsson-Owen to gather the necessary materials and complete the application,” White said. “It was a great honor for our department to receive the award and in my opinion, a testament to the wonderful

group of faculty, staff and students we have.”

Dr. Kristina Dandy is an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science and Ms. Myrna Olsson-Owen is the Administrative Assistant of the department.

The Department of Psychological Science offers courses that challenge students to question assumptions and provides experiences to prepare undergraduates for life, work, and graduate study. The department is continuing to establish a persistent and perpetual process of shared governance and collaboration that promotes excellence in all areas of student learning, faculty/staff development, and leads towards success for its students.. The faculty are providing and assessing student learning and achievement that goes beyond students’ grades and completion of courses.

A testament to the department’s success are the increasing number of students accepted to masters and doctoral programs in psychology.

Faculty and students at the Fall 2011 Induction Ceremony for PSI CHI: Psychology Honor Society.

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Department of Psychological Science

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be an additional facility for band and strings programs to accommodate the growing number of students in the programs.

“The Music Department has grown immensely in just the last year and a half that I’ve been here,” Josh Ramos, sophomore vocal performance major said. “As a vocalist it always helps to have the best resources to learn and grow.”

Steinway and Sons has recently recognized Georgia College as an “All- Steinway School.” This is a prestigious recognition that deems schools as quality music institutions based on the number of Steinway pianos they possess. Georgia College has the privilege of owning 19 Steinway pianos. “Steinway’s are my favorite brand of piano,” sophomore music therapy major, Gabby Banzon said. “Last year, I only got to play a Steinway if I somehow managed to grab a time slot in the only practice room that had one, but now all the practice rooms have a Steinway which is really great.” It represents a level of quality only achieved with the finest instruments. Georgia College represents the fifth school in the state of Georgia to be designated as an “all Stein-

By: Jasmine Thomas, Public Relations student

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he Georgia College Department of Music offers a wide range of opportunities for students to master the principles, skills and techniques necessary to be successful in the performing arts. The program provides a competitive advantage to students as they seek entry into the larger cultural community, and the program provides an outlet for the students’ creative and interpretive energies in their pursuits of a more meaningful appreciation of our society and of the human spirit.

The Georgia College Department of Music has had a wonderfully successful year. The department just went through its ten year accreditation process by the National Association of Schools of Music and is near achieving it. Achieving accreditation is an honor because it is a way to establish a certain level of quality in education. The department has not gotten the official papers stating that they have achieved accreditation, however, they have received extremely positive feedback and anticipate optimistic results.

Georgia College strives to provide a high standard of education and opportunities for its students. The music department is no different. “The Georgia College Department of Music is dedicated to developing and maintaining an excellent learning and production environment for those who are committed to the performing arts. We seek to offer curricula which will provide both a competitive advantage for our students as they seek entry into the larger cultural community; and an outlet for their creative and interpretive energies in their pursuit of a more meaningful appreciation of our society and the human spirit,” as quoted from the Georgia College website.

The Georgia College music department is comprised of 100 graduate and undergraduate students, taught by 11 full time faculty, and 17 part time faculty.

As the music department becomes increasingly popular, the opportunity for growth and expansion becomes necessary. The McCombs building is being slated and planned as the music department instrumental annex. It will

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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By: Vanessa Whited, Public Relations student

Department of Theatre

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“Romeo and Juliet”

ment is dedicated to community engagement and giving back,” Dr. Berman said. In April 2011 the nationally acclaimed dance troupe Liz Lerman Dance Exchange came to Georgia College and worked with theater, dance and other students in engaging the community in an interactive art experience. The professional dancers worked with participants and choreographed a dance that embraced disabled individuals and celebrated multiabled bodies.

The dance exchange is just one of the many community outreach projects the Department of Theatre is involved in. “We have taught a STEM science and math class to at-risk teens utilizing theatre as a tool, toured children’s shows to hospitals and community centers and are working now in Macon with teens on subjects of teen pregnancy and substance abuse prevention,” Dr. Berman said.

The Department of Theatre extends its talent far beyond state and national borders – during the Summer 2010 semester eight students were given the opportunity to study abroad in the Czech Republic. According to Dr. Berman, while in the Czech Republic, students performed in an international theater festival in which they were the only non-professional company. This study abroad experience will be offered again in Summer 2012.

Georgia College’s Department of Theatre will continue to develop and span its artistry across the board. “In the future, we hope to continue to do our theatre work as a mission to make the world a better place,” Dr. Berman said.

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

2012

ith Georgia College’s Museum of Natural History and Museum of Fine Arts, visitors are able to see what life is like beyond Milledgeville and embrace the arts and sciences. Georgia College provides hands-on experiences for its students and the surrounding community to gain a deeper knowledge about the world around them.

The Georgia College Natural History Museum and Planetarium offers a place for students and faculty to research and explore the sciences of the world. Opened in 2004, The Natural History Museum has become home for ancient artifacts and fossils found by Georgia College’s own students and faculty.

This museum is recognized by The National Park Service for its specimens and research capabilities.

Dr. Bill Wall, professor of the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, has led fossil digs since 1983 with his students in the Badlands of South Dakota. His hard work is now responsible for many of the fossils seen in the Natural History Museum.

“We have quite a diversity of artifacts, however, the strengths of our museum are vertebrate fossils and mammals,” Dr.Wall said. “There are two kinds of collections we have: one for educational purposes and one for research.”

Since the Natural History Museum’s grand opening, more than 18,000 spectators have experienced ancient life through visually appealing exhibits. Fossils from Georgia can be found in the museum. Bison and mammoth bones were discovered in Brunswick and marine life fossils were found in Wilkinson County by professors in the Department of Biology & Environmental Science.

“Students and professors have benefited from the Natural History Museum and have had a number of publications because of the collections available to be researched,” Dr.Wall said. This research has lead to over 20 co-authored publications and recognition

from prestigious national organizations. Students have been given internships from the papers written on research based on the collections that can be found here.

“Upcoming exhibits will be focused on the geology of Georgia and the research being done in the Biological and Environmental Sciences departments at Georgia College,” said Ashley Quinn, natural history collections manager.

The Georgia College Planetarium was constructed as a part of the Natural History Museum in 2008.

“Our goal with the planetarium is to use astronomy as an outreach to the community and get them excited about science, “ said Dr. Ken McGill, department chair of Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy.

Students, faculty and the community are welcome to observe stars and view educational shows on state-of-the-art digital projection. The 20-foot diameter dome provides guides, labels and motion of the astronomical sky.

“By visiting the planetarium, you can get a real feel of the magnitude of the universe,” Dr. McGill said.

The museum also provides education and learning for those in elementary school through graduate school.

“I think that our museum is a great resource for the middle Georgia area, it gets children of all ages excited about paleontology and ancient life,” Quinn said.

The Museum of Fine Arts honorably displays the works of Georgia College student artists, alumni, donors, and past faculty alongside names such as Grant Wood, Salvador Dalî, Honoré Daumier and Käthe Kollwitz. Georgia College’s Department of Art has preserved European and North American collections in the museum, ranging from the early 1800’s to present day.

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“The space, as a scholastic resource, has provided for various events and functions bridging disciplines, schools, student groups and community organizations, and has celebrated the work of students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni and the greater public.

In this way, the Museum of Fine Arts represents the broad function, scholarly focus, and liberal arts mission of our department as a whole,” William Fisher, associate professor and department chair of Art, said. “A major donation by friend and benefactor Dr. James Mimbs has created the platform of the Museum of Fine Arts Asian art and artifacts collection, an important gift for education,” said Fisher.

The community is invited to join in the learning and observation that is provided in the museum. A few featured museum artists and guest speakers have included Sue Coe, Dan McCleary, Georgia’s First Lady Sandra Deal, Dean of Arts & Sciences Ken Procter and Turkish artists Sidika Sevim and Cemallettin Sevim.

“The Museum of Fine Arts exists for the betterment of our communities, to educate, to inspire and to provide meaningful and deeply personal as well as public experiences through aesthetic experience. Our goals are to incorporate our mission statement and vision for the museum’s place among our communities.” Fisher said. “The museum will continue to function as a laboratory for our Museum Studies, Art History and Studio Art concentration majors, and remains free and open to the public and for all organizations on campus.”

The fruits of arts and sciences surround Georgia College’s campus by spreading knowledge to students, faculty and the community. The Museum of Natural History and Museum of Fine Arts gives evidence to the notable education that is attainable in the College of Arts and Sciences at Georgia College.

Museums

mances.

“The Theatre Department continuously develops program quality which contributes to our success in garnering awards and international recognition for productions and comminity outreach,” said Dr. Karen Berman, Theatre Chair and Artistic Director of Theatre Programs.

In April 2010 Georgia College’s renovation of the Campus Theatre building downtown earned the university its third statewide preservation award. The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation recognized Georgia College with the Excellence in Rehabilitation award. Now, the Campus Blackbox Theatre preserves Milledgeville history and supports the community – all while housing the Department of Theatre.

Reaching beyond statewide awards, theater major Matt Riley was awarded The Barbizon Award for Theatrical Design Excellence in Costumes at the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre for his designs in Georgia College’s production of “Sueño.”

Just a sophomore at the time, Riley competed against 50 other student designers throughout the southeast and came out on top with his “Fantasy Reborn” costume design collection.

The theatre department won its first National Endowment for the Arts grant for a residency by Rennie Harris Puremovement. The Philadelphia dance troupe presented a free lecture and demonstration on campus that was open to the public – just one of the many ways the theatre department reaches out to the community and encourages involvement.

The Department of Theatre’s recognition exceeds national borders. Theatre major Joseph Dumford became a finalist in the 58th annual Cannes Lions Film Festival in Cannes, France. Dumford’s short film, “Magdalena Viajando,” placed fourth in the MOFILM Cannes Lions 2011: Make an Ad Competition and was created as a part of Dr. Amy Pinney’s Acting for Film Maymester course.

“I’m thrilled the talent and skill of Georgia College theatre students has been recognized internationally,” Dr. Pinney said.

Each year the Department of Theatre has

a different theme that is reflected in each production. The 2010-11 theme “Southern Season: Welcome Home” included the production of “Milledgeville Memoirs,” a play written by Creative Writing Professor David Muschell.

The production converted oral histories to tell the stories of local personalities and their experiences falling in love, coming back from war and fighting for civil rights.

In March, the cast traveled to New York and performed the play off-Broadway, a unique way to take Milledgeville’s history beyond Georgia.

The 2011-12 theme “To Your Health!” has been a successful tribute to the Georgia College theme of health and wellness.

The Pillars Prize-winning play “Life is Mostly Straws,” made its world premiere at Georgia College in September 2011. Richard Manley, the award-winning playwright, was in-residence to see the Department of Theatre take his work to the stage for its first full production ever. The show was a success and set the bar high for the next production: William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”

Dr. Berman adapted the original “Hamlet” script into an interactive wedding performed in-the-round by both students and faculty members in the Campus Blackbox Theatre.

Tickets to the performance were in high demand and every show in the two-week run sold out.

“We hope to continue to give our students challenges in real-life performance,” Dr. Berman said.

Theater productions will continue throughout the spring semester, including mainstage performances, senior capstones, fundraisers, guest artists and additional performances.

In addition to its student and campus-wide participation, the theatre department prides itself in its community outreach. “Our depart-

By: Ashley Metivier, Public Relations student

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ach year the Georgia College Department of Theatre continues to participate in a multitude of engaging projects and perfor-

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ence filled with different scholarly sessions discussing O’Connor’s works. Dr. Gentry teaches a class on O’Connor each spring, assembles an essay contest for graduate students and talks to tour groups when they come to visit O’Connor’s hometown. The most prestigious production of O’Connor Studies is the “Flannery O’Connor Review.” This peerreviewed scholarly journal is the world’s longest-running journal dedicated to a woman writer. Writers from all over the United States send their articles to Dr. Gentry, and he along with his staff of faculty and students put together the finished publication.

“I’m working for Flannery and I’m going to keep working for Flannery, and that is very pleasurable and it is beneficial to the school,” Dr. Gentry said.

With the help of the staff of Special Collections in the Georgia College Library, Gentry recently supervised the publication of “The Cartoons of Flannery O’Connor at Georgia College” which reprints O’Connor’s high

school and college artwork.

In 2007, Dr. Gentry and a fellow professor, John Cox, received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for $150,000.

With this grant, Dr. Gentry and Cox selected 24 college teachers to come to Georgia College, stay in the dorms, and learn everything there is to know about Flannery O’Connor.

The participants’ days were filled with lectures, films, and field trips, including a visit to O’Connor’s family farm, Andalusia, which is located a few miles away from the university. The NEH Institute participants also had the opportunity to spend a week examining O’Connor’s papers in the Georgia College Library.

Milledgeville will always hold a special meaning in studies of the life of Flannery O’Connor, and O’Connor inspires the residents of her hometown and students at her alma mater daily with her creative legacy.

Creative Writing Flannery O’Connor’s literary influence

By: Rebecca Farish, Public Relations student

Programs of Distinction

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eorgia College has three Programs of Distinction in the College of Arts & Sciences, each brings different opportunities and challenges to the students that help them grow into their career fields.

Flannery O’Connor Studies Georgia College has had numerous alumna walk through its halls, and one female graduate is increasing the prestige of education in the College of Arts & Sciences, Mary Flannery O’Connor. One of the six Programs of Distinction at Georgia College, Flannery O’Connor Studies is not a degree program, but rather an educational experience available to whoever craves the knowledge. O’Connor received her secondary education at Peabody Laboratory School and then earned a bachelor’s degree at what is now Georgia College.

Professor of English and Editor of the “Flannery O’Connor Review” Dr. Bruce Gentry is the main contact for O’Connor Studies.

Georgia College occasionally hosts a confer-

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College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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helps fortify the writing of the students at Georgia College.

The Creative Writing Program follows in her footsteps and provides opportunities for their educational growth.

“What makes creative writing at Georgia College a program of national distinction starts with our outstanding faculty and students,” said Director of the MFA and B.A. programs in creative writing Dr. Martin Lammon.

Each spring a journal is published by the undergraduate students called “The Peacock’s Feet” that is filled with students writing that showcases their talents. Some of these students are given an opportunity to read their pieces in the community among other students at The Red Earth Reading Series. Another community learning experience that the undergraduate students can apply to take part in is the Early College Mentors program. Undergraduates mentor seventh graders that are enrolled in Georgia College’s Early College School. With the assistance of the MFA students and the school’s faculty, the seventh graders publish their own literary journal called “The Peacock’s Feather.”

After completion of their undergraduate studies, some students begin applying to different graduate programs, hoping to find one that matches their talent. This year the MFA Program at Georgia College has attracted students from 12 different states and also the United Kingdom and “has become more and more recognized by students and teachers of Creative Writing coast to coast,” Dr. Lammon said. The three-year curriculum includes all genres: poetry, creative nonfiction and memoir, fiction and scriptwriting. All the information needed for a prospective student is located at mfa. gcsu.edu.

Assistantships are offered to most graduate students, both Georgia and non-Georgia Residents. In exchange for their education and graduate degree, the students work their way through graduate school. First year students spend their time working in the Writing Center, with the national journals “Arts & Letters” and “The Flannery O’Connor Review,” with the Early College writers-in-the-schools project and other sponsored programs. Second year students continue to assist with the journals and other projects but most begin teaching their second and third years in the program.

“Arts & Letters” receives literary submissions from across the country which are read and evaluated by MFA students and faculty. Each year four prize-winning authors, one in each genre, are brought to the Georgia College campus for the “Arts & Letters” Festival weekend and each is awarded publication and a $1000 prize. To learn more about this outstanding journal visit this website al.gcsu.edu.

This past December the first ePub journal was introduced to Georgia College, “Arts & Letters” PRIME. It is available to download on ipads and iphones, but can also be accessible through other digital and web-based means. The main technology enhancements include audio files, digital links and video files. PRIME has become a fall and spring journal and the print “Arts & Letters” has expanded to just one issue that is published in the spring.

“I am most excited about what people are going to come up with, there is a lot of room to be creative with the audio and video sides of it. If you open it up more beyond print, people will be more creative,” said “Arts & Letters” Managing Editor Jad Adkins.

Both undergraduate and graduate students of our Creative Writing Program are very accomplished. Some have won national AWP Intro Awards, others have pursued doctoral work and many of our undergraduates, such as Hali Sofala, have attended graduate programs in creative writing following graduation. Sofala earned a full ride to the MFA Program at the University of Wisconsin and is now working on her doctorate degree at the University of Nebraska. The Creative Writing Department has been the first chapter in many undergraduates’ careers and the final stepping-stone for graduate students, but it will always be a Program of National Distinction at Georgia College.

Science to Serve Science to Serve is another Program of Distinction that makes science alive and vibrant to the community. This program links the community to faculty,students and science resources at Georgia College and beyond.

“Science to Serve is a mechanism for supporting activities that engage people of all ages and backgrounds in science and related disciplines,” said Dr. Rosalie Richards, director of the Science Education Center.

As part of the Science to Serve framework, Georgia College departments and programs collaborate to provide or support courses, camps, competitions, community events, special projects, and more. For example, Georgia College hosts the Regional Science & Engineering Fair each year, which falls on the first Friday and Saturday of February. Elementary, middle and high school students from Baldwin, Bibb, Hancock, Jasper, Jones, Putnam, Monroe, Washington, Wilkinson, and Twiggs counties participate in this educational experience.

This Program of Distinction hosts a number of other programs for grades 3-8 students. At Science Camp, students study biology, chemistry, physics, space and the environment at Lake Laurel Biological Field Station. Two summer research fellowship programs, Project SEED and the Young Scientists Academy, offer an 8-week research-intensive in science exclusively for grades 9-12 students. Likewise, the PRELIMS Academy is a twoweek opportunity where high school students who want to pursue a career in teaching are exposed to the joys of teach-

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ing math and science.

But, the flagship of Science to Serve is the Natural History Museum and Planetarium, both located in Herty Hall. These facilities attract over 5,000 visitors each year as well as students engaged in courses or teachers engaged in workshops.

Not only does Science to Serve reach out to the community but it offers resources and support to Georgia College students and faculty. The STEM Initiative at Georgia College strives to put students first in order ensure the best educa¬tion in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). For example, the STEM Mini-Grants Program provides funding for innovative teaching projects with a goal of increasing and retaining the number of students pursuing STEM disciplines or for aspiring teachers to receive certification in any of these fields.

To showcase the diverse and extended reach of the program of distinction, Science to Serve annually publishes a newsletter, The Nucleus. The newsletter has a readership of over 3,000 across the state including alumni, school and state administrators, colleges, universities, and science education facilities. Submissions to The Nucleus can be made at science@gcsu.edu.

Learn more about the many projects and events within this Program of Distinction by visiting the website www.gcsu. edu/sciencetoserve. Science to Serve takes the joy of science and innovation and transforms it into exciting and teachable experiences for all.

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Give a Gift In the College of Arts and Sciences, we focus on the classroom, on best practices in teaching, on maintaining up-to-date facilities and providing the highest quality programming. We encourage our students to work closely with faculty mentors to pursue individual learning goals through special projects in research, writing, creative production and performance.

We cultivate a culture of learning and service beyond the classroom. The whole community benefits from the visiting researchers, scholars, performers, artists and the special programming we bring to campus.

College of Arts and Sciences Campus Box 48 Milledgeville, GA 31061-0490 dean.cas@gcsu.edu (478) 445-4441

Click here:

www.gcsu.edu/artsandsciences 20

College of Arts and Sciences Newsletter

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